| Kids love bikes, and if you have children, chances are | | | | aware that kid's interests change quickly. You may |
| at some point or another you're going to have to | | | | buy him / her a bike with his / her current favourite |
| buy them a bike. But there's more to buying a bike | | | | character on it, but in just a few short weeks, that |
| for kids than just picking a bike at random. You really | | | | character may have been replaced. |
| have to put some thought into it or you may end up | | | | The age and coordination of your child will dictate |
| with the wrong bike and an upset child. | | | | whether or not the bike needs stabilisers or a tricycle. |
| You may be very tempted to keep your bike | | | | Also children under the age of five generally have |
| purchase a secret, especially if you're buying a bike | | | | difficulty with using handle bar mounted breaks. Unlike |
| for a kid's birthday or other holiday. However, if you | | | | adult bikes, bike sizes for kids are based on the |
| plan to do this, you need to listen to your kid's | | | | diameter of the wheel and not seat height and frame |
| opinion on bikes before you buy one. It can be | | | | size. The chart below should help you narrow your |
| difficult to figure out which bike he or she likes | | | | search, but it's worth trying your child on a few |
| without coming right out and saying "what bike do | | | | variations in bike shops or those of friends before |
| you want?" but it can be done. You know your kid | | | | making the purchase. One important factor is the |
| very well, and you should at least have some ideas | | | | brakes, with coaster brakes tending to be easier for |
| as to what he or she likes as far as colours and such | | | | younger kids but they become less common as the |
| goes. | | | | bikes get bigger. |
| When you first see the large selection of kid's bikes, | | | | Kids Age - Inside Leg - Wheel Diameter |
| you may be a little overwhelmed. There are a lot of | | | | 2-4 years - 35-42 cm (14-17 inches) - 12 inches |
| them, and they seem to come in many different | | | | 4-6 years - 40-50 cm (16-20 inches) - 14 inches |
| designs and colours. But you can narrow your | | | | 5-8 years - 45-55 cm (18-22 inches) - 16 inches |
| selection down pretty quickly. Are you buying for a | | | | 6-9 years - 50-60 cm (20-24 inches) - 18 inches |
| boy or a girl? Some girls' bikes are actually designed | | | | 7-10 years - 55-63 cm (22-25 inches) - 20 inches |
| differently. Many of these bikes are pink or have | | | | 9+ years - 60-72 cm (24-28 inches) - 24 inches |
| streamers on the handles, a basket on front, and | | | | Once you've determined the look and size of the |
| other girl orientated additions. Boys' bikes generally | | | | bike, it's time to think about what kind of bike your |
| don't include a basket on the front, and some have a | | | | kid needs. If he or she is going to be riding out in the |
| bar or two in different places. Overall, however, | | | | countryside or on unpaved roads, you're going to |
| there's no real functional difference between boys | | | | need to select a bike with more rugged, chunkier |
| and girls bikes. Any girl can ride a bike built for a boy | | | | tyres with a deeper tread that will hold up to a lot of |
| and vice versa if they want to. | | | | abuse. If, on the other hand, he or she will be riding |
| You also need to know if your kid wants any sort of | | | | more in town, you can go with thinner tyres. It really |
| cartoon character on his/her bike. Today's bikes | | | | depends on where you think your child will be riding |
| often include some image or reference to popular TV | | | | the most. If you want to err on the side of caution, |
| characters. If your kid absolutely loves one certain | | | | go with the thicker tyres. They will do just fine on |
| show, buying him / her a bike with that show's | | | | paved streets, but the thin tyres won't fare so well |
| character can be a great move. However, just be | | | | on dirt or gravel. |